Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
5. Zaemon’s Curse
Thecaptainoftheporthadrunupmybannertothemastheadofhisboat,havingbeenprovidedwithoneapparentlyforthispurposeofannouncement,andfromthequays,acrossthevastbasinoftheharbour,therepresentlycametousthenoisesofmusicians,andthepaleglowofwelcomingfires,dancingunderthesunlight.IwasalmostawedtothinkthatanEmpressofAtlantishadcometosuchstraitsastofeelaninterestlikethisinanymerereturningsubject.
Itwasclearthatnothingwastobedonebyhalves.Theport-captain’sboatled,andwehadnochoicebuttofollow.Ourgalleywasrunupalongsidetheroyalquayandmooredtoitspostsandringsofgold,allofwhicharesacredtothereigninghouse.
“IfDasoncouldonlyhaveforeseenthishonour,”saidTob,withgrislyjest,“I’msurehe’dhavelaidinasilkenwarptomakefastonthebollardsinsteadofmereplebeianhemp.I’msurethere’dbeafrownonDason’sheadthisminute,ifthesunhadn’tscorcheditstiff.MyLordDeucalion,willyoupickyourwaywithnicenessoverthiscommonshipandtreadonthegenteelcarpetthey’vespreadforyouonthequayyonder?”
Theport-captainheardTob’srudebanterandlookedupwithafaceofhorror,andIremembered,withasmallsigh,thatcolonialfreedomwouldhavenoplacehereinAtlantis.OncemoreImustpreparemyselfforallthedignityofrank,andmakereadytotreadtheformalitiesofvastandgorgeousceremonial.
